A massive delivery truck turns right near the narrow lanes of the North End and crushes your vehicle against the curb. The driver claims they never saw you, as if having a blind spot excuses the destruction they caused.
These Blind Spot Accidents in Boston happen daily because large trucks struggle with our ancient, winding roads. We define negligence as the failure to use reasonable care to avoid harming others.
When a truck driver hits you, they have failed in their duty to maintain a safe lookout, and a truck accident lawyer at Altman-Nussbaum-Shunnarah Trial Attorneys holds them accountable for that failure.
We fight the insurance companies that try to blame you for being in a truck’s path. Our trial attorneys recognize that the driver bears the responsibility to clear their surroundings before moving.
We pursue the money you need for medical bills and car repairs by proving the driver chose to move their vehicle without seeing what was in their way.
Winning Insights for Your Claim
- Truck drivers have a legal duty to verify their blind spots are clear before making any turn or lane change on city streets.
- Boston’s unique geography, including the narrow roads of Downtown and the North End, increases the frequency of right turn squeeze accidents.
- The claim of a blind spot serves as a legal admission that the driver failed to maintain a proper lookout.
- Massachusetts law provides a three-year window for injury claims, but shorter deadlines apply if the city or MBTA bears responsibility.
- Evidence from side-view cameras and witness statements often proves the truck driver had the opportunity to avoid the crash.
The Geography of Risk: Ancient Streets and Modern Trucks
The streets of Downtown Boston and the North End were built for horses and carts, not 80,000-pound tractor-trailers. When these massive vehicles enter our tight urban core, the risk of a crash skyrockets, and a truck accident attorney can help hold negligent drivers accountable when these dangerous collisions occur.
Drivers often struggle to manage the sharp corners and narrow lanes near landmarks like the Old State House or Faneuil Hall.
- Narrow lanes leave zero room for error when a truck and a passenger car travel side by side.
- Delivery drivers often park illegally or block views, creating new blind spots for other motorists.
- Winding roads prevent truck drivers from seeing the full length of their trailers during a turn.
Our team investigates the route the driver took to see if they should have been on a different road. We hold the trucking company responsible for sending a large vehicle into an area where it could not safely operate.
The Right Turn Squeeze and Your Rights
One of the most dangerous maneuvers in the city is the right turn squeeze. Because trucks are so long, they must swing wide to the left to make a sharp right turn. This move often creates a gap that looks like an open lane to a car or a cyclist.
When the truck finally turns right, it crushes anything in that gap against the sidewalk or parked cars. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 14, drivers must take specific precautions at intersections and when turning. The law requires them to make certain the move is safe before they begin.
- A truck driver who swings left and then turns right without checking their mirror violates their duty of care.
- We prove the driver failed to use their signals or check for smaller vehicles in the gap they created.
- Cyclists are especially vulnerable to these crashes because they often have the right of way in a bike lane.
We do not let the insurance company claim you were at fault for being in your own lane. We prove the driver’s wide turn was the reckless action that caused the collision.
The Blind Spot Admission
When a driver tells the police they did not see you because of a blind spot, they are admitting negligence. A blind spot is not a legal defense; it is a known hazard that every commercial driver is trained to manage.
If they move their truck into a space they cannot see, they are acting recklessly.
- Drivers have access to convex mirrors and camera systems designed to eliminate blind spots.
- The failure to use these tools proves the driver was not focused on the safety of others.
- We argue that if a driver cannot see where they are going, they have no right to move the vehicle.
This aggressive approach removes the driver’s primary excuse. We show the jury that the driver chose to gamble with your safety by turning blindly.
How Do Injuries Affect Claim Value?
In a blind spot accident, the physical damage often results in high-value claims due to the severity of the impact. We view these injuries through a legal lens to determine how they affect the money the insurance company owes you.
- Crushing injuries and fractures require extensive medical documentation to prove the long-term impact on your ability to work.
- Traumatic brain injuries from the side impact of a truck often lead to permanent impairments that increase the value of your case.
- Insurance companies often dispute soft tissue injuries, so we use medical experts to show the jury the reality of your pain.
The more serious the injury, the harder the insurance company fights to protect its money. We build a wall of medical evidence to prove exactly how much your life has changed, while also investigating the causes of truck accidents to show how the crash happened and who should be held responsible.
Comparative Negligence in City Crashes
The insurance company will try to use the rule of comparative negligence to lower your payout. They might claim you were speeding or that you tried to pass the truck at the wrong time.
In Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 231 Section 85 says you can only recover money if you are not more than 50 percent at fault.
- We block these attempts to shift blame by using facts and evidence from the scene.
- Our team secures dashcam video and witness statements that show the truck driver’s recklessness.
- We keep your percentage of fault as low as possible to protect the amount of money you receive.
Every percentage of fault the insurance company pins on you is money they get to keep. We fight for every dollar by proving the truck driver bears the responsibility for the crash.
Gathering Proof After a Squeeze Accident
To win a case involving Blind Spot Accidents in Boston, we must move fast to gather evidence. The trucking company will start building its defense immediately, and you need a team that does the same.
- We secure the truck’s electronic logging device data to see if the driver was tired or rushing.
- Our team checks the maintenance records for the truck’s mirrors and safety sensors.
- We look for city traffic camera footage that captured the moment of the turn.
This evidence proves the driver had the information they needed to avoid hitting you but chose to ignore it. These details often become critical after a truck accident, and we use these facts to demand a fair recovery for your medical bills and the damage to your life.
Actions to Take While You Recover
While you stay at home to recover from your injuries, you can take steps to help your claim. The insurance company for the trucking firm is already looking for ways to pay you less.
You must focus on your health while we handle the legal details.
- Save every receipt for medical co-pays, medications, and any equipment you had to buy.
- Record the names of any witnesses you spoke with at the scene of the crash.
- Do not post photos of the accident or your injuries on social media sites.
Our team handles the communication with the adjusters so you can rest. We make certain the negligent parties pay for the harm they caused you.
FAQs
What should I do if the truck driver blames me at the scene?
You should not argue with the driver or admit to any fault yourself. Let the police document the scene and take statements from everyone involved. The driver’s opinion does not determine the outcome of your case. Our team will conduct an independent investigation to find the truth and hold the driver accountable for their actions.
Is the trucking company liable if the driver was a contractor?
Yes, a company is often liable for the actions of a driver even if they call them a contractor. If the company controls the driver’s schedule and routes, the law often views them as an employee. We pursue the company because they have the insurance policies to cover your serious injuries. We do not let a corporate label stop us from seeking justice.
Can a cyclist sue for a right turn squeeze accident?
Cyclists have the same rights as any other motorist and often have the right of way in designated bike lanes. If a truck swings wide and turns across a bike lane, the driver has violated the law. We represent many cyclists who were hurt because a truck driver failed to clear their blind spot before turning.
What happens if the truck did not have side-view cameras?
While not all trucks have cameras, every truck has mirrors that the driver must use. If the lack of technology contributed to the crash, we investigate if the company was negligent in failing to equip the vehicle for city driving.
The driver still has a duty to make certain the path is clear before they turn, regardless of the technology they have.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck crash in Boston?
The standard deadline is three years from the date of the injury. However, if the truck belongs to a government agency like the MBTA, you must follow a much shorter timeline.
This includes a two-year presentment requirement to notify the government of your claim. We recommend contacting us immediately to verify all the deadlines that apply to your case.
Force the Negligent Parties to Pay for Their Mistakes
The insurance company for a trucking firm will try to tell you that the driver is the only one responsible. They do this because they want to protect the company’s millions of dollars.
You need a team that knows the law and refuses to accept their excuses. Altman-Nussbaum-Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has recovered over $1,000,000,000 because we know how to hold big companies accountable for their safety failures.
Contact Our Boston Trial Attorneys for a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, do not face the corporate lawyers alone. Put a fighter in your corner who handles the investigation and the courtroom battles for you. We are ready to start building your case today and demand the money you need for your future.
Reach out to Altman-Nussbaum-Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for your free consultation with a team that won’t back down from a fight with a billion-dollar company.
Your recovery is our priority, and we will not stop until we hold the negligent parties responsible for the harm they caused you.
